These juicy Ninja Foodi chicken thighs deliver restaurant-quality results in just 23 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for busy weeknights, this foolproof recipe transforms basic chicken thighs into a mouthwatering main dish that’s both healthy and satisfying.
With only 281 calories per serving and packed with 18g of protein, you’ll love how this simple preparation method yields incredibly tender, flavorful results every time.
Ingredient List
- Chicken Thighs: 4 pieces, bone-in with skin on for maximum flavor
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, helps achieve crispy skin
- Seasoning Mix:
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep Seasoning: Mix onion powder, garlic salt, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl
- Preheat: Set Ninja Foodi to 390°F/199°C on air fryer setting (crucial for crispy skin!)
- Season Chicken: Brush each thigh with olive oil, then generously coat with spice mixture
- First Batch: Place 2 thighs in air fryer basket, cook for 18 minutes at 390°F
- Monitor: Check every 5 minutes to ensure skin isn’t burning
- Rest Period: Let chicken rest 5 minutes after cooking
- Second Batch: Repeat process with remaining thighs
Cooking Techniques
Air frying creates magic with chicken thighs! The high heat (390°F) makes the skin super crispy while keeping the inside juicy. Pre-heating your Ninja Foodi is like giving your chicken a head start to crispiness. Keep an eye on the skin as it cooks – a quick peek every 5 minutes helps catch that perfect golden-brown color without burning.
Why Bone-in, Skin-on Thighs?
Bone-in, skin-on thighs are the stars of this recipe! The bones add amazing flavor, while the skin turns into a crispy, seasoned coating. These thighs have more flavor than chicken breasts and stay super moist during cooking. Plus, dark meat is more forgiving if you cook it a little longer by accident.
Seasoning Tips
This spice blend is super flexible! If you don’t have garlic salt, regular garlic powder plus a pinch of salt works great. Like it spicier? Double the red pepper flakes. For a different twist, try Italian seasoning instead of separate basil and oregano. Just remember to rub the oil on first – it helps the seasonings stick and creates that amazing crispy skin.
Storage Tips
Keep any leftover chicken in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat and keep the skin crispy, pop them back in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350°F. The microwave works too, but the skin won’t stay crispy. These thighs are also great cold in salads!
Serving Suggestions
These crispy thighs love simple side dishes! Try them with a fresh green salad, roasted vegetables, or rice. The seasoned chicken creates tasty drippings that taste amazing drizzled over your sides. For a complete meal, add some roasted broccoli right in your Ninja Foodi after the chicken is done.
Ninja Foodi Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- Ninja Foodi
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Thighs bone-in, skin on
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Collect and measure your ingredients, mixing the onion powder, garlic salt, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes together to create a spice rub.
- Pre-heat the Ninja Foodi to 390°F/199°C on the air fryer setting. (pre-heating is important in this recipe, it’s what gives us super crispy chicken skin!)
- Rub each chicken thigh with a thin layer of olive oil, then sprinkle the spice mix over the top of each thigh.
- Place two chicken thighs in the air fryer and cook at 390°F/199°C for 18 minutes. Check on the chicken every 5 minutes or so to ensure that the skin does not burn.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes to finish cooking. Repeat with the remaining chicken thighs.
